“Don’t you know that the runners in a stadium all race, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way to win the prize.” 1 Corinthians 9:24 CSB
I put financial and physical goals together, in my mind they are the same type of goals. They both require self-control, they both require work, and both of these are imperative to good health. According to this article by Very Well, 72% of adults report being stressed about money, whether it’s paying rent or drowning in debt, money causes stress. The article gives four ways financial stress affects our health: poor physical health, delayed health care, poor mental health, and unhealthy coping mechanisms. When our finances are controlling us, they are controlling our health. When we learn to be the one in control, we will find better health and peace.
Only you can answer what your financial and physical goals can be. For years, my financial goal was to pay off debt. Once I had accomplished that goal, my financial goal was staying out of debt. In addition to staying out of debt, I developed saving goals, then investment strategies. Every year, my husband and I look at our finances together, decide on an area we want to fine tune, then make that our goal. I set a personal goal not to go over my own personal budget. My husband and I each have an amount in our budget we’re allowed to spend without asking the other one about the purchase. I have gone over it twice in 2019. Since I didn’t come in on budget all 12 months, I’m keeping the same goal for 2020. I want to come in on budget EVERY month in 2020.
My physical goal I’m changing. Last year my goal was to take 2 classes a week. I didn’t achieve it, but I did start walking 5 days a week. My goal for next year is to walk five days a week, hopefully with my husband.
Whatever you decide your goals are going to be in this area, make them realistic. If it’s paying off debt, which debt? How are you going to do it? If it’s physical, making it something you will actually do. I have never set a goal of going to the gym five days a week because I know that is something I will never do. I hate going to the gym, I’d much rather go for a walk. Therefore, setting a goal of walking five days a week is much more achievable for me. And make sure your goals are measurable. I can easily tell you if I come in on budget any given month, or if I have walked 5 days in any given week. Then just do it. If you fail one week, give yourself grace and keep going.
I’m going to find rest in my financial and physical goals. How can you find rest today?
